LA Galaxy Midfielder Dan Keat Called Up to New Zealand National Team for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, September 6, 2012) – LA Galaxy midfielder Dan Keat has been called up to the New Zealand National Team for their upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands. Keat and the All Whites will begin the final round of World Cup Qualifying in Oceania with a game away to New Caledonia on Friday, September 7 before hosting the Solomon Islands in Auckland on Tuesday, September 11.

Keat, who was drafted by the Galaxy in the first round of the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft, made his international debut earlier this year in a 3-2 home loss to Jamaica on February 29. He has made one regular season appearance for LA so far in 2012, while also playing once in the CONCACAF Champions League before undergoing surgery on May 31 to repair damage to the meniscus in his right knee. He returned to training in July and was back on the field in a Reserve League game against Chivas USA on August 6.

The club has also placed midfielder Kyle Nakazawa on the Season Ending Injury List. The midfielder, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Union in February, has been out since mid-June as a result of back spasms. He last played for the club on June 17 against Portland, coming on as a second half substitute, but has missed the last 14 regular season games, as well as both of the club’s games in the CONCACAF Champions League and the international friendlies against Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid. He finished the year with five appearances and two starts for the club.

The Galaxy will be back in action on Friday, September 14 when the Galaxy returns to MLS action against the Colorado Rapids at The Home Depot Center. That game, which is presented by MetroPCS, kicks off at 8 p.m. and tickets are on sale now as low as $15.